Nevertheless she assumes throughout that He has indeed been promised her. Matthew 23). Too often, I fear, we find ourselves performing before others, using our praise to speak to men, to convey some message to them, rather than to God. 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. To press the matter of Marys obedience even further, Mary was not only obedient to the imperatives of Gods word, but also to the inferences of His word. Both reach out in love and rejoice in the work of God in their live. 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Indeed, it would seem that in the case of Elizabeth, if not also Mary, her spirituality surpassed that of her husband. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! 50 and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. get to know the Bible better! She rejoices in God, who is her Savior (v. 47). If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We learn from the other gospel accounts that John was quick to acknowledge and proclaim the superiority of Christ (John 1:19-28), and thus to accept his secondary role as forerunner to the Messiah. 17He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah* to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.h Even the church has made its concessions to the womens liberation movement. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. In the course of performing his duty, the angel Gabriel appeared to him while he was inside the holy place. The scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day were largely legalists, who focused on the letter of the law, but missed Gods grace in it. While Christs coming meant more than saving men from their sins, this was the beginning, the prerequisite for all that He would accomplish. Luke . 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,(A) 40where she entered Zechariahs home and greeted Elizabeth. Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. We might suspect that the limitations of biblical revelation, compounded by those of the culture, would have made womanhood a curse. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Not so with Mary. This is not the way men are saved, however. John the Baptist was born through the actions of Elizabeth and Zacharias, which God supernaturally brought to conception and birth. 28 He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The honour that Elizabeth gave to Mary at their meeting was symbolic of the honour that John would give to Jesus ( Luke 1:39-45 ). Nevertheless, it is our conviction that the principles of the New Testament church are as relevant and binding today as they were in Pauls day. In particular, instead of praising God for His mercy and compassion, as the psalmists and Mary do, Jonah protests against the grace and mercy of God in the final chapter of the book. Not only did Elizabeth, in a sense, speak for John, she also spoke like John. 56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. In this section Luke announces many of the themes that will become prominent in the rest of the gospel: the centrality of Jerusalem and the temple, the journey motif, the universality of salvation, joy and peace, concern for the lowly, the importance of women, the presentation of Jesus as savior, Spirit-guided revelation and prophecy, and the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. His self-righteousness is evident in the psalm of chapter 2, which dwells on his dilemma, his danger, and his deliverance, but not on God. The Wonder Of Christmas. Mary understood the great themes of the Old Testament, such as Gods mercy and compassion, Gods concern for the poor and the helpless. The fact that Zacharias was a professional priest and that his wife and Mary were but lay people did not in any way set Zacharias above the others. Start your free trial today! "May your word to me be fulfilled.". Verses 39-56. While me cannot say that every miraculous life began with a miraculous birth, I think it is safe to say that every miraculous birth resulted in a miraculous life and ministry. Perhaps a few women, blessed by financial prosperity and social standing, may have been able to enjoy some of the benefits of the male world. Luke . 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. Daily Readings with Questions for Reflection, RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The marginal references in our Bibles indicate the many other allusions and parallels. Elizabeth is a magnificent woman of God, in Lukes opinion. With these things already known (albeit by the Holy Spirits illumination of the Scriptures), the Spirit of God informed Elizabeth, perhaps at that very moment, that Mary was the one through whom Messiah would be born. 12Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. Chapter 1 . (O)53He has filled the hungry with good things(P)but has sent the rich away empty.54He has helped his servant Israel,remembering to be merciful(Q)55to Abraham and his descendants(R) forever,just as he promised our ancestors.. . * [1:6879] Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:4655) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among . Chapter 9 . This is why the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, even though he was a prominent teacher in Israel (cf. Elizabeths immediate response to Marys arrival might be explained by some previous communication between the two (e.g. As our Lord Himself said later, those who obey His word are His sisters, brothers, and mother. Elizabeths praise surpasses Zachariahs petition for a sign. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among . And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. She looks forward to the ultimate righteousness which will be established when Messiah reigns on the throne of David. The very moment she entered the house and gave a customary greeting, Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord. 24After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, We would expect Mary to be taken with the fact that she will have a baby, and that this baby will be the Son of God. I am still supposed to be . Mary is a model disciple. 23Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. Luke ends this section (vv. 10 And at the hour of incense all the people were outside, praying. We have here an interview between the two happy mothers, Elisabeth and Mary: the angel, by intimating to Mary the favour bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth ( Luke 1:36 ), gave occasion for it; and sometimes it may prove a better piece of service that we think to bring good people together, to compare notes. Is Divorce And Remarriage After Abuse, Neglect, Financial, Or Emotional Issues Okay. 2 They began their accusation by saying, 'We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.'. 74 that he would grant us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies. Apart from Lk 1:7677, the hymn in speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. Marys age, then, is not a significant issue to Luke. Luke 1:39-56 . 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. She viewed history in the light of this plan. (1) Mary is a model disciple in her faith in the word of God, and in her submission to the will of God. The scribes and Pharisees seemed as though they could only think and talk in terms of the Law of Moses. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Marys praise began with her own experience, but quickly linked this with Gods character and actions in the past (His ways) and then with His covenant and promises regarding the future. 45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.q Geldenhuys responds, In discussing this hymn of praise, some critics have asked whether Mary had her Old Testament open before her when she uttered the song. Mary was steeped in the poetical literature of her nation, and accordingly her hymn also bears the unmistakable signs of it.19. b. The lofty will be put down and the humble will be exalted (vv. Q. Get the app {{#signedIn}} . 16 and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. In verses 46-49, Mary praises God for His mercy as expressed toward her. 6Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. Here is, 67Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68* Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.k, 69* He has raised up a horn for our salvation. * [1:5] In the days of Herod, King of Judea: Luke relates the story of salvation history to events in contemporary world history. ', 34 Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?'. * [1:34] Marys questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to lead to the angels declaration about the Spirits role in the conception of this child (Lk 1:35). These things are still future for us, as they were for Mary, for they will be accomplished at the second coming of our Lord. 30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Today, we humbly ask you to defend Catholic Online's independence. The men assumed the leadership roles, especially in spiritual matters. Composition Narrative. (7) Mary is a model disciple in that her praise was not only a personal expression of worship, but also was edifying to Elizabeth. 69 and he has established for us a saving power in the House of his servant David. The point I wish to make here is that the restrictions which the New Testament makes on women and their role in public worship are not detrimental to the spiritual life and development of women. From now on all generations will call me blessed. Mary may have wondered how Elizabeth would respond to the news she had to share. 18Then Zechariah said to the angel, How shall I know this? What is your spiritual relationship to God? 19And the angel said to him in reply, I am Gabriel,* who stand before God. 1 a Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, * was drawing near, 2 b and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put him to death, for they were afraid of the people. This brought a rebuke, and a temporary loss of speech, which nevertheless served as a sign to the people assembled at the temple that something very significant was about to happen. You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. In His second coming, Messiah will come to set things straight, to bring justice to the earth and judgment to the wicked. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, Getting Spiritually Fit 1 ( Corinthians 9:24-27), Steps to Biblical Reconciliation (Luke 17:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21). Then the angel left her. Marys role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among those who believed after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14). Here we see the meeting of two mothers, eager to support and help each other at a time of major change in their lives. The degree to which women were degraded was that to which their husbands and their culture stooped. Elizabeth was not restricted to the level of spirituality of her husband, nor did the fact that the public expression of her worship was limited keep her from experiencing the greatest intimacy with her God. g. [1:15] 7:33; Nm 6:121; Jgs 13:4; 1Sm 1:11 LXX. It is not at all surprising to find that the births of both John and Jesus are miraculous, for the lives of both are miraculous. 66 All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. The major reason for this position, in my opinion, is the similarity of the magnificat to the praise of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 2. When Mary asks a similar question in Lk 1:34, unlike Zechariah who was punished for his doubt, she, in spite of her doubt, is praised and reassured (Lk 1:3537). Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. We should strive to be students of Gods Word, meditating on its terms and theology, seeking to be obedient to its imperatives and its implications. Men assumed the leadership roles, especially in spiritual matters. * [1:2638] The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement to Zechariah of the birth of John. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 13 But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. But the textual evidence in support of Mary is overwhelming. Leon Morris, The Gospel According To St. Luke, The Tyndale Bible Commentary Series, R. V. G. Tasker, General Editor (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), p. 75. 13But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid,* Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. The scribes and Pharisees, however, seemed only to grasp a few of the particulars, but missed the plan. d. [1:7] Gn 18:11; Jgs 13:25; 1Sm 1:56. Because there is no specific connection of the canticle to the context of Marys pregnancy and her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat (with the possible exception of v. 48) may have been a Jewish Christian hymn that Luke found appropriate at this point in his story. If Luke was writing to Gentiles, the name of this village would not have had any meaning, and thus was omitted as non-essential to his purpose. In this parallelism, the ascendency of Jesus over John is stressed: John is prophet of the Most High (Lk 1:76); Jesus is Son of the Most High (Lk 1:32). but has lifted up the humble. This is evident in the blessing pronounced by Elizabeth, which subtly contrasts the belief of Mary with the unbelief of Zacharias: And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord (Luke 1:45). Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed. Nevertheless, girls were married young in those days, and it is thus likely true that Mary was quite young. Our praise during this Christmas season should especially be patterned after that of Mary, who did not focus on the tiny baby that she would soon hold in her arms, but in the God who sent Messiah and in the goal of His coming earth. Some thoughts on today's scripture. This is the episode enshrined in western art and iconography as "the visitation," when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and is the occasion for Mary delivering the speech that has come to be known as "the Magnificat.". (8) Marys theology, as reflected in her Magnificat is vastly superior to that of the scribes and Pharisees, who would become the arch enemies of our Lord. (H)From now on all generations will call me blessed,(I)49for the Mighty One has done great things(J) for meholy is his name. Finally, we should strive to see beyond the birth of the baby to the end for which the child cameto restore and reconcile fallen men to God and to one another. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.i One wonders how much that Elizabeth came directly from the Spirit of God, and how much originated from her own grasp of the Scriptures. Romans chapter 7). There is no mention as to whether or not Mary was pregnant when she first arrived at the home of Elizabeth and Zachariah. 13-17). The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. 7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. Thus there is a kind of criss-crossing effect in the praise of both women, for each expresses ones personal praise, but edifies the other. 44For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 5In the days of Herod, King of Judea,* there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.c 49The Mighty One has done great things for me, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.b, 52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. 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